Report #131 Day at Sea March 17, 2020 Tuesday Partly cloudy & 82 degrees

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

 

Even though the predicted weather forecast was partly cloudy & 82 degrees, we did not believe it.  Going outside for a morning walk, it was more humid and way hotter than 82 degrees.  It's hard to fathom that when we are surrounded with so much water, that it can be so completely uncomfortable.  And the fact that the ship has been maintaining a slower speed of 12 to 14 knots,  there is precious little breeze.  This would be a great day to stay inside, and do the dirty deed……pack.

 

We were so disappointed that none of us had received that vital letter outlining what the company planned on doing with us, as far as preparing everyone for the time schedule, luggage tags, airline flights, etc.  Many of the guests have been having great difficulty trying to get flights out of Perth, and the tension has put many folks on edge, to say the least.  Unfortunately, times like these can bring out the best, but also the worst, in people.  Just go stand by the front desk, and you'll hear some pretty bad stuff, we are sorry to report. 

 

Those who seek comfort, have gone shopping instead, to spend some of their use-it-or-lost-it shipboard credit.  That did include us,  as we have not put a dent very much in our account.  So many things have not come out of it, such as the $450 we would have had to spend to get visas in three countries in Africa.  And all of us are expecting refunded port charges for every port we missed.  We estimate this is about 20 ports, give or take a few.  These fees were included in our fares, and should be credited back to our accounts.  Strangely, there has been no mention of this, but it usually happens a day or two before the end of a cruise.  And the shops have put many specials on their products to entice the guests to spend-spend-spend.

 

All of our luggage, four duffels and three suitcases, fit under the bed.  So once we had those pulled out, we began to ziplock bag everything.  Half of the toiletries were not used, so they were double-bagged.  Funny how much time that takes.  At least it did not seem like we just did this packing a few months ago.  In reality, we had to start this  process for the world cruise in late summer.  All of the duffels were packed by September, since we left for the 51 day Tales of the South Pacific, which ended on December 18^th.  So that job was done 6 months ago. 

 

At his PM talk, Captain Mercer delivered his usual at sea reports on position and weather.  And finally, but late afternoon, detailed letter arrived to our rooms.  The message from the Captain began with, it's been a tough few days, as we all know.  Then he went into detail on why we are ending this trip in Freemantle.  The biggest concern at the moment is getting us home in a timely manner, before things change to where we cannot make it home, wherever that may be.  There are no guarantees with anything at this point.

 

But he made it perfectly clear that no guests will be allowed to stay on this ship, since they do not even know at this point, how or where the ship will proceed.  It will depend on many things, like the ability to bunker fuel and supplies along the way.  Many ports are closing their doors to all cruise ships.  And bottom line, they are not prepared to handle medical emergencies, and if necessary, cannot get guests to medical help onshore.  Now it gets into technical areas and liability.  HAL has no choice but to repatriate everyone ASAP. 

 

We will also have a choice of refunds, which we need to clarify what we actually read.  Those who booked HAL Flight Ease, will have their flights rebooked for them.  The remainder of guests need to make their own arrangements.   

 

Later on, we got forms to fill out for shipping our luggage and including extra pieces.  Also we could add the insurance, just like we always do.  At least, we will not have to pack our bags off of the ship, which would have been a nightmare in itself.  We plan on taking just hand carry-ons, and shipping the rest. 

 

At least, we have some direction now, and things should fall into place.  We will all feel better when we have booked our air reservations and possible hotel stays in Perth. Nothing else seemed important, except for the fact we are still healthy, and plan to stay that way.

 

On a lighter note, we had a President's Club cocktail party in the Piano Bar this evening.  Most everyone attended, some of whom had already eaten their dinners before the 6:30pm cocktails.  We were all greeted by the  Captain, Henk, and Hamish as we entered the room.  Then we found our tablemates, Susie and Woody, and our best buddy, Barb.  Taking a corner booth with some extra chairs, we all had a fine time with more longtime friends.  Feels more like extended family, since we have known most of these fine folks for years.  The drinks flowed and the "green" canapies followed.  The best were the little pups in a blanket.  Captain Jonathan and his wife, Karen, joined us for a while, but lingered after the party was over.  It was good for him to be able to relax in the company of people he has known ever since he took over as the Master in 2012.  None of us envy his job…..not one iota.  Retirement for him is looking better and better at this point, he admitted.

 

Dinner was really special this evening, since it was the two of us and Barb, just like we started out on last year's world cruise.   We almost forgot how nice it was to talk continuously for two hours, most times not even concentrating on what we were eating.  By the way, the dining room was decorated totally green for St. Pat's Day, and the waiters wore green-sequined vests and bowties.  And goofy green framed glasses. 

 

Entertainers were The Shamrock Tenors, a group that recently joined us in Cairns.  Actually, they had sat near us at the pool yesterday, and we heard them quietly practicing their harmonizing.  Pretty good.  We had intended to go listen to them, but Susie and Woody joined us after attending a birthday dinner at another table, so we stayed back and chatted for a while.

 

Back in our room, we had gifts of Seattle's Best Truffles – 2 boxes of them.  They really are good,  and they will be enjoyed either here or at home.  Another gift, was an hour back on the clocks.  Always appreciated. 

 

The news around the world has been so bleak, so we might as well enjoy our few days we have left on the ship.  Then it will be back to reality when and if we make it home.

 

Bill & Mary Ann